Scripture
23You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” Romans 2:23-24
Observation
Much like the “whitewashed tombs” of Matthew 23 when Jesus corrected the Pharisees, the Apostle Paul was calling the Jewish Christians on their hypocrisy and arrogance. They considered themselves spiritually superior to the Gentiles coming to Christ because of their lineage to Abraham and their circumcision. Paul revealed it was circumcision, or a permanent marker, on the heart “produced by the Spirit” that provided a true witness to those around them who were seeking. From their moral high ground, the Jewish Christians advertised themselves as “a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.” (vs 19) while actually turning Gentiles away from the very God they said they represented. Paul quoted Isaiah 52:5 regarding the Gentiles blaspheming God instead of calling on God because of how God’s people were acting. The painful irony was that the Jews who were so careful to not even say the name of God was actually causing the name of God to be cursed because of their arrogance and self-righteous judgment. This destructive pattern from the old covenant had been dragged into the new covenant and Paul was calling it out. The ones who should have been an example had become an obstacle. The ones most equipped to build bridges to the Gentile nations were actually burning them to the ground.
Application
At the beginning of 2020 (which feels like a few years ago), I had a prayer walk planned for San Diego to try and discern what God might be saying about moving to and ministering in the area. As the plane began to descend towards the San Diego airport I looked down at the Coronado Bridge. Immediately, I heard the Lord whisper to my spirit, “I want you to build a bridge to those how don’t know me.” God gave me this mandate before I had even met with anyone from The Fathers House. I found out later that at the same time on that same night our TFH Council was meeting to talk through the plan to begin to search for a new pastor. The very next week my friend Pastor Doug Bursch prophesied, “God has already built a bridge and He just needs you to walk across it.” As I sit here now as the new Pastor of The Fathers House, having just moved to San Diego a few days ago, I can see the bridge God has built. We have been so welcomed and loved by the church here and I’m so excited to actually get to meet them all face to face. In this process of the slow reopening of church buildings, God is reminding me of my mandate. He built the bridge to The Fathers House for us and has called The Fathers House to build a bridge to those who don’t know Him yet. I remember coming in quietly to the first service of the year to hear God about The Fathers House. No one knew I was coming and this allowed me to just be open and receive during the service. I sat in the back and during worship I just began to cry. I could sense the sweet presence of Jesus in that room and see Him on everyone’s faces. I knew God was changing my assignment though I had no idea how this was all going to happen. I could see what a privilege it would be to serve such an amazing group of people. In that moment God whispered again to my heart, “I have called you not only to these people here, but to those who are living, working, and worshipping outside these walls.” During my time in San Marcos that first week I purposefully went into the different coffee shops and restaurants in the city to strike up conversations. I was laying my first planks in the bridge that I believe will see them come to Christ eventually. I never pictured then that I would be taking a church during a Pandemic when the church couldn’t actually meet together in the same building. Of course, God knew this was going to happen and His call to build bridges rather than focus on a building is more important than ever. How we reopen the building will determine whether we are building bridges or burning them to the community God has called us to reach. I must check my heart and make sure I’m not coming off as the Jewish Christians were to the Gentile community in the city of Rome. I must make sure that my zeal to reopen the church building doesn’t re-close the hearts of those who are watching how I do this. As many Christians justifiably argue for the right to reopen our churches there’s a negative perception arising in the general public that we are more concerned about our traditions than the overall health and wellbeing of our communities. There's a saying going around "that you can tell who the Christians are because they refuse to wear masks." This, of course, couldn’t be farther from the truth as Christians have found ever more creative ways to meet the needs of those sick, hurting, and lonely around them during Covid-19 and truly care about the welfare of others. Perception is reality for many and therefore as Christians, we must remember what Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Notice, He didn’t say our neighbors will identify us as Christ-followers by our buildings or by our services. The world will know we are Christians by how we are serving each other in love. Ravi Zacharias, one of the most gifted apologists of a generation passed away yesterday and in so doing passed the baton to us. His life and faith showed us that we shouldn’t check our brains at the door of faith while simultaneously not checking our heart for people at the door of apologetics. He once said, “I have little doubt that the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the Gospel has not been its inability to provide answers, but the failure on our part to live it out.” We must choose people over programs, bridges over buildings, serving over services so that when we reopen our church doors we are not only welcoming back those who know Christ but those who do not yet know Him.
Prayer
I’m thanking You Lord this morning for the words from Governor Newsom that church gatherings may be allowed to resume in June. This is such a change from just a few days earlier and I know that You are changing his heart and those in places of authority here in California. I lay down my frustrations, my pride, my arrogance, my judgments, and anything that would ruin my witness to those around me. I have all these new neighbors and I want all of them to come to know You. If that means I need to wear my mask to build a bridge then I will do so. I don’t want to be the reason people are cursing Your name because I’m flaunting my rights. I want to be a reason people are calling on Your name as I walk in humility and love. I’m praying for more than just the reopening of a church building. I’m praying for a reawakening of The Church to Your heart for those who don’t know You and are headed into a Christless eternity.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15
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